MEMPHIS, Tenn. — MCA Associate Professor of Fine Arts Leandra Urrutia was announced as the recipient of the 2014 Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration in a ceremony held February 26 at the offices of ArtsMemphis. The “Emmett,” which honors Emmett O’Ryan, founding board member of Metropolitan Bank, is awarded annually to a visual artist recognized for their current work and the promise of future artistic significance.

Head of Ceramics at MCA, Urrutia’s work has been exhibited locally, nationally and internationally and she is currently working to establish a residency and exchange with Chinese master sculptors from the Guangxi Arts Institute in Nanning, China.

Other nominees for the 2014 award included MCA Assistant Professor and Head of Photography Haley Morris-Cafiero and MCA alumnus Adam Farmer as well as Emmanuel Amido, Virginia Fisher, Rachel Grant, Nick Pena and Bobby Spillman. The Emmett trophy was designed and created by MCA Assistant Professor of Metal Arts and Sculpture Bill Price.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.